This paper reports on a two-year exploratory study to determine the viability of voice-based threaded discussions forums as a means of stimulating discussion and understanding of weekly readings as part of a large undergraduate communications course. From March to June 2001, 600 students participating in a large introduction to communication course at the University of South Australia were required to post a summary of their readings each week to a threaded online voice/text forum. The course was delivered face-to-face with considerable online support. Wimba Voice Board software was used to facilitate the forums. It was found that most students preferred to make text, rather than voice postings. The factors contributing to this preference are examined and discussed and recommendations for further research are made. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/AEF)